AS A City Supporter for nearly 40 years I am frustrated, angry and more dejected than the day we were relegated.

Never mind that John Hartson has gone to Celtic, the questions regarding his commitment to the Sky Blues and the possibility that we may be better off without him.

My real worry is the performance of Bryan Richardson.

Yet again the club is embroiled in arguments regarding transfer negotiations.

I remember the criticism of Richardson last season from Rangers regarding the interest in two of their players and the bad taste that followed the departure of George Boeteng.

Martin O'Neill is a well respected manager. If it is true that Bryan Richardson made the initial contact with Celtic, then I feel he is driven by any profit he can make from a player.

Here we are in the same position exactly 12 months down the line. As the season is about to begin we sell our most potent striker and I fear as to the effectiveness of any replacement.

I read that we may be interested in Nathan Blake. If that is so I must say that over the summer Mr Richardson's level of ambition has slumped from one of a fast return to the Premiership to turning us into an average Division One team at best.

How many players have departed from Manchester City and Bradford over the summer? Who has the biggest will to return?

During pre-season games we are finding it difficult to score goals, the same weakness as last year. Between them Gordon Strachan and Mr Richardson are dragging us down to ever lower levels. It is time they both looked at themselves and decided to move on.

The season has not started yet and already I regret renewing my season ticket.

John Smith, George Hill Close, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire.

AN open letter to John Hartson:

It was with deep joy and no surprise whatsoever that I witnessed your transfer to Celtic.

I have followed closely through the media the shenanigans displayed by yourself and your agent Jonathan Barnett from mid-May.

It would be appreciated that when quotes are made through the media that you realise some supporters are not taken in by your pathetic soundbites.

Wouldn't it have been better for all concerned if you had told the truth from the outset, instead of leaving the club in the mire so close to the start of the season?

Although I appreciate the modern footballer is little more than a soldier of fortune, it would have been refreshing if you could have shown some sort of loyalty towards the club, especially the manager, who appears to possess the qualities that you so sadly lack.

Malcolm Watts, Oldfield Road, Chapelfields.

WHEN Coventry City were knocked off their Premiership pedestal, it was a bitter blow for the fans, who felt it was unnecessary with the squad we had.

That squad was decimated with the sale of Robbie Keane and the loss of Gary McAllister for starters.

The chairman has recovered all the money spent on Craig Bellamy, which leaves the #13 million for Keane intact.

Then there's the income from the sale of Hadji, Hartson and Aloisi and the expected sale of Hedman.

The chairman is economical with the truth on money issues, including the new ground.

Any thoughts of a Premiership return must be tongue in cheek but good luck to our loyal fans.

W H Hind, Brookford Avenue, Keresley.

I WAS amazed to read that Bryan Richardson had the audacity to brand striker John Hartson a traitor for accepting a move to Celtic.

This is the same person whose only claim to fame is that he sold one of the best talents to play for Coventry to make a fast profit.

The same person who has supported a manager that has shown unprecedented levels of incompetence. The same person who promised the City a stadium to be proud of, only to present us with another unfinished project

The sooner Mr Richardson resigns, the better for all real Coventry City followers.

A R Goddard, Lakeview Road, Coventry.

SURELY, the man who has betrayed the Sky Blues more than any other is Bryan Richardson.

Not only has he led the club out of the Premier League but also put the club millions of pounds in debt.

The final straw must be the Foleshill soil decontamination fiasco.

As far as the people of Coventry are concerned you are the weakest link, Mr Richardson. Goodbye!

Kenneth Hemming, Bankside Close, Coventry

I WRITE in response to the letter (Evening Telegraph, August 1) about the club open day which portrayed us in a very unfair and negative light.

Here at Coventry City we are fully aware of our position in the local community and our commitment to our supporters.

This year's open day was considered by many people to be the best ever. Granted, no players were present but the squad were all in Ireland preparing for what promises to be a very exciting and successful season.

We have received a fantastic response from the public and were delighted to see thousands of happy faces at Highfield Road.

The point made about the lack of last year's kit not being available highlights the success of the design, which proved to be the most popular ever.

If, as Mr Montgomery says, he were a regular visitor to Highfield Road, he would be aware that the kit was on sale at the reduced price of just #10 from February.

The day's activities were designed to provide entertainment for the whole family and give members of the public an insight into the workings of a major football club.

Staff and directors were on hand to answer any queries that may have arisen.

We are proud of both our Junior Sky Blues and Community departments, who both had full representation on the day.

The open day is an annual event and while we welcome feedback from supporters we do feel that the published letter was of a very pessimistic nature and most certainly did not reflect visitors opinion.

I'D LIKE to express my displeasure at the negative letter published in the Evening Telegraph (August 1) about this year's Coventry City open day. I took a trip to Highfield Road and was delighted to see how much there was to see and do.

Contrary to Mr Montgomery's letter, I not only joined my nephew in the Junior Sky Blues but also booked him on to some of the very good Football in the Community courses whose stand was located in the East Stand Mall next to some other fantastic stalls.

My family and myself spent the afternoon enthralled by all the activities of the day watching children's entertainers, falconry displays, tae-kwon-do demonstrations, playing games and enjoying the fun fair, which was sprawled across the car park.

The children really appreciated the "behind-the-scenes" look at the club, which is not available on a matchday.

Mr Montgomery's letter did not do justice to the event or the club.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the football club for a fantastic community event, which showed a desire to give something back to the fans.